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May 2011
Posts: 101
Location: USA | So I have a question for all you experts. Is it ok to tune a 1758 Elite 12 String to standard pitch or should I tune down and use a capo to not put too much tension on the neck?
I have heard that many people tune down but I would prefer not to unless it is recommended.
Thanks,
Steve |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | The US-made Ovations like your 1758 can take it easily.
Can't speak for the offshore models, I've never owned one. |
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April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | The bridge on my 6759 flipped off while being under standard pitch tension. Since then I always tune my 12's one half tone down. But, hey, this could have been the one guitar that had this problem.
Best regards,
Kurt |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | I tune mine (70's Pacemaker) down a half-step because I like to put a capo on the first fret. I do that on my six strings, too - a concession to age and arthritis. Had all the nuts filed down on my guitars and I still wanted lower action. Kinda like choking up on the bat. They sound good and play fast - and I never used those dots on the fretboard anyway! :D
However, I do remember all the ads of the time saying US-made Ovation 12's could be tuned to standard pitch. |
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February 2006
Posts: 75
Location: San Antonio, TX | I keep my 12 at standard pitch. It has been there for 10 years and no neck problems. |
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August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | I tune down my 1538 a half-step. Has also the advantage, that some songs are a little bit easier to sing along.
Karl |
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October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | I keep my 1751 Balladeer at standard. Its still one of the easiest playing acoustics I have seen over the years. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | This one's always tuned to standard...
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | If a bridge is going to pop at concert tuning, it's likely to pop at 1/2 tone down as well.
The primary reason (aside from personal preference) that people have told me they tune down their 12 strings is fear the neck will bow. While I have seen that with other brands, I've never seen it happen to a US-made Ovation (I've had 4). Never had a bridge pop either.
Those 5 piece necks are rock solid. |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 355
Location: Wichita, KS | Waskel wrote:
If a bridge is going to pop at concert tuning, it's likely to pop at 1/2 tone down as well. I heard someone quip recently that the real reason to tune down 1/2 step is to keep the harmonica players off the stage. :D |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Sure.
Doesn't work with banjo players, though. They don't notice anything different. |
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March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | My 1538 is standard. Has been for all its' history, to my knowledge. Still perfect. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Standard pitch, forever. |
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August 2011
Posts: 7
Location: San Diego, CA | I've seen plenty of 12-string ovation's come through the shop for set-ups, restrings, etc, plenty of them over 10 years old, tuned to standard with zero problems. Ovation makes a robust guitar. It can take it. |
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Joined:
January 2011
Posts: 24
Location: Minneapolis | Much more important to keep your 12 strings and all other fine instruments at healthy humidity levels...
I learned that the hard way on my old Pacemaker! Concert pitch is not the problem. Someday the PM will go back to the mothership for a new top and I think I'll splurge and have a koa top put on to match, (as close as possible), the top on the LAV koa I bought from Al this spring. That guitar is opening up nicely and the tone is getting deeper and warmer. Life is good! |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Standard: Played the Elite 12's for over 20 years...never a problem... |
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May 2006
Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by MusicMishka:
Standard: Played the Elite 12's for over 20 years...never a problem... Ditto that.... |
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September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Lets see, my 12 CL was built in 1990 so for 21 years it's been at standard tuning.
I just recently tuned it down a bunch as it was bellying a bit.
I've been keeping humidifiers in the case to counter-act it some.
No issues with the brige or neck though. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 698
Location: Cork, Ireland | pacemaker OK at concert pitch after 32 years in Ireland and Scotland (where humidity changes are less of a problem) |
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12 String Tuning